Benjamin Franklin | A subtly subversive franking signature: "B Free Franklin"

Benjamin Franklin

Autograph address with franking signature ("B Free Franklin") as Deputy Postmaster General of the American Colonies on an address panel (84 x 105 mm) cut from an integral blank, [London, 12 June 1766], directed "To | George Read, Esqr. | New castle | Pensilvania | via New York Packet}," with red circular "FREE" handstamp; light diagonal crease. Red morocco folding-case gilt.

A fine and very early example of Franklin's cleverly subversive franking signature: "B Free Franklin," perhaps the most desirable early American free frank (his standard frank was the more straightforward "Free B Franklin").

This address panel must have covered Franklin's brief note to George Read of 12 June 1766, the only letter to Read recorded by The Papers of Benjamin Franklin: "I received your letter of April 14th, and immediately made an application in your favor. It will be a pleasure to me if it succeeds. But the Treasury have so many to provide for that we must not be surprised if we are disappointed. My regards to your good mother, and believe me, with sincere regard, your assured friend and most humble servant." In his letter, Read, who would later sign the Declaration of Independence as one of Delaware's delegates to the Continental Congress, asked Franklin to help him secure the appointment as Collector of the Port of New Castle.

Franklin's frank with the handstamp allowed this letter to travel without charge by packet ship to New York City, where it was carried by post to New Castle. Postal packet ships sailed once a month between Cornwall, England, and New York City. We have been able to trace only four other examples of this form of Franklin's franking signature in Rare Book Hub since 1943.

PROVENANCE

Sotheby's New York, 14 June 2016, lot 216 (undesignated consignor) — Barbara and Ira Lipman (Sotheby's New York, 13 April 2021, lot 171

REFERENCE

Papers of Benjamin Franklin, ed. Labaree, 13:313 (original lost; text taken from William T. Read, Life and Correspondence of George Read, Philadelphia, 1870, p. 24)